Riders on the platform flagged down an uptown E subway motorman as the train pulled into the station and it stopped. Two transit police officers climbed onto the tracks. Officer Gus Vargas prevented the cat from getting farther away, and another officer grabbed George, who was inches from the third rail, police said.

"I gave him a little scratch on the head," Police Officer Brian Kenny said. "He looked at us. I picked him up, he reached for both of my shoulders like a baby. He almost hugged me."